Farmworker; Diversified (45-2092.00)

Job description

Workers will perform various duties associated with planting, cultivating, and harvesting Watermelons, Strawberries, Peanuts, Cotton, Squash, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peppers, Cabbage, and Tomatoes.

Worker must possess the physical strength and endurance (ability to continue or last) to repeat the harvest process though out the workday, working quickly and skillfully to perform activities assigned during that activity. Workers must work at a sustained (continuing for an extended period of time without interruption), vigorous pace (quick and steady) and make bona fide efforts (made in earnest intent) to work efficiently (performing or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) and consistently (same way for a long time) that are reasonable under the climatic and other working conditions, Workers may not leave trash, or other discarded items in work areas or vehicles but must dispose of such items in provided receptacles. Workers must wash hands with soap and water after all bathroom and meal breaks. Allergies to varieties of ragweed, goldenrod, insecticides, related agricultural chemicals, etc., may affect worker’s ability to perform the work described herein.

Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities or the packing facility for packing operations.

Cotton & Peanuts: Workers will perform a variety of manual tasks appropriate for row crops being planted cultivated and harvested. Workers will help in preparing the land for planting. This may include attaching farm implements such as a plow, disc, and drill to tractor. May drive a tractor in field to till soil in preparation of planting. Worker may apply various types of fertilizer to the soil and plants. These bags can weigh between 60-75 lbs. Workers may cultivate and thin crops using a hoe. Workers will remove undesirable and excess growth, and weeds by hand. Carries supplies such as bags and bailing wires to the fields. Clears irrigation ditches, using shovel. Loads and unloads trucks, unloads grain onto conveyors to storage bins or elevators. Cleans and lubricates farm machines. Workers may be required to ride on planter, and brush debris from furrow plowing sprouts weed and thins plants, using hoe or by hand. Harvest crops using the appropriate method such as picking, pulling, and cutting. Workers may ride operate harvesting machines to ensure quality of harvested product.
Watermelons: Workers will be expected to punch and make holes to prepare the black plastic for planting plugs. Workers must be careful not to damage the tender young plugs. Workers will be expected to perform routine maintenance activities including pulling weeds and cleaning drip irrigation equipment. At harvest, workers will be expected to select the melons based on the standard disclosed to the worker by the supervisor. Workers will walk along rows and cut melons according to size, color, shape, and degree of maturity using a knife. May carry to trailer or windrow for loading at a later time. Also, the workers will be expected to grade, sort, and place in shipping containers. After harvest is completed, workers will be required to remove mature melon vines from the plastic as well as preparing the plastic for the next planting cycle, if applicable. May also be required to remove old or damaged plastic and irrigation drip tape along with any other trash, rocks, or debris from the planting areas. Workers will assist in preparation of field areas prior to installation of new plastic and drip tape.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months experience as a farm worker. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.